Negaran

Negaran Electronic Institute: http://ngaran.blogfa.com/ conducted an interview with Ahmad Reza Taheri on “Development of Balochistan.”

Negaran Electronic Institute: http://ngaran.blogfa.com/ conducted an interview with Ahmad Reza Taheri on “Development of Balochistan.”

The original text is in Persian language: Sunday – 29/10/2006. Time: 4:23. By Varna Baloch on http://ngaran.blogfa.com/ the text of the interview is as follows:

Ahmad Reza Taheri is an expert on the political affairs of the Iranian Balochistan, and an author. At present, he is a research (PhD) student in Political Science.

Q. Negaran: Dear Taheri, most welcome to Negaran Electronic Institute… Our first question is how do you see the current status of Balochistan in Iran?

A: Ahmad Reza Taheri: First of all, I would like to express my thanks to this institute for giving me this chance to air my views.

Well, answering this question obviously cannot be confined to an interview here. Thus, in this regard, one can talk or write more than hundred pages, and secondly, this question itself can be classified into different parts i.e. cultural, economic, social, and political status of Balochistan.

In short: almost all countries of the world whether underdeveloped, developing, or even developed do have their own specific internal security problems. Therefore, “Sistan and Balochistan” of Iran is not in exception, and so has its own problems.

While this land possessed of strong potentials and rich natural resources, and also stands at the second or third rank for “intelligence coefficient” in the country, nonetheless, it is the poorest province of Iran…!

Here, question may come: what is the reason then? Answer must be given by the concerned officials who are the only decision-makers and planners.

Unfortunately, our officials are weak and inefficient in their planning affairs, as well as, in their decision-making ability. See, when a man is negative, inefficient and destructive, the people’s look at first would be concentrated on the weak pillars of that family. So, in a similar way, if there are crisis in one part of the country, the eyes of the global community would concentrate on the inefficient political administration of that country.

Throughout history, there have been occasional “Balochi movements,” whom have taken arms and fought against the different governments… that eventually have resulted in the elimination of the guerillas or movements, however, that does not end there, rather leading to the establishment of new ones, and so on… But, what has been the outcome? We must have a deeper look --- how things happen and why? I am sure that we have not been able to analyze the reason so far, otherwise, why they happen? Experience too, has proved that violence does not work, and even if it works, it works only temporarily.

Anyway, if we compare the past with the present, we will come to know that during the early years of the Islamic Revolution, the number of the Balochi educated people were very few, whereas, today there are many young Baloch men and women who are well educated, either inside the country or outside, and the interesting point is that most of these young people are more or less aware of the current political and social issues around the world. Some of the Baloch young women and girls have gone as far as that has caused a considerable change (in the attitude of the Baloch traditional minds and male-dominated society of Balochistan) so that some of the old and out-dated laws that used to suppress women throughout the history of this land have been stopped by them. And, more important is that today no power can stop them, because this is a new evolutionary wave, and not revolutionary, however, would take its own long time to bear fruits, which this is natural.

To me, Balochistan is in its early stage of development. For example: If to our destination (cultural and mental development of the Baloch) we have 1000 miles distance, we have traveled only 20 to 30 miles of this long distance so far, and have to travel further up, why?

There are number of reasons. One reason is that this land and its people have always been victimized under the foreign rulers, and also were engaged in the field of battle to that extent that no room left for them to think of their own development. And, on the other hand, our own rulers by the help of external and internal forces have kept the people far away from education fearing that otherwise they (rulers) may lose their own popular bases…

I believe that our “thinking process” and “current social and political conditions” can be compared to the “thinking style,” as well as, “political and social conditions” of the Greeks in 500 BC…

We (the Baloch) willy-nilly should accept this bitter reality that at least for time being, we are lagging much behind, and in order to reach our destination i.e. “Development,” have to travel on a long and rough path. However, I am optimistic, because, at least, we are situated at the right direction though very primary.

Q. How do you define Development?

A: when we talk of “development,” we mean: “constant development”, i.e. we have to travel so long that reach to a permanent development, where our next generation may get benefit too.

Indeed, development would begin with the “mental development.” According to Hegel: “when ideas change, every thing would change.”

In order to get development, many of the man’s natural characteristics must or should get eliminated, such as: meanness, jealousy, etc.

If we want development, we must welcome criticism, we must have an active sense and positive intention of cooperation, and our rational sense must dominate our irrational sense. It is only when we respect, consider, and regard all these above-mentioned factors, then we can enter into the other stages of development i.e. development of family, clan, tribe, and society.

We have to give a simultaneous start to our cultural engine, social engine, economic engine, and political engine, and push all together, if we want to land at a “real development site,” without that, we would see no virtual development.

What we mean by development? Let’s start with an example: Imagine that there is a wealthy fellow who does not know the culture of how to use his wealth in the proper manner, shall we call him a developed fellow just because he is rich? Obviously the answer is no. Or, let me give you a broader example: which country is called a developed country?

A country that possessed of the five following factors together: political power, economic power, military power, democratic culture, and population control. A country that holds all these factors together is a real developed state, and if a country lacks any one of the mentioned factors, then we cannot label it as a true developed state. Thus, for development we have to have all these factors combined.

What do you think of Development in Balochistan?

A: As I pointed earlier, for “development,” we need to complete a long and painstaking process.

I believe that every Baloch family in Balochistan should take care and look after their children’s education, and correct nurture, that is the best and the most important thing we can do. If we send or introduce good and educated people to the society, certainly it works better. Why? Because, family is the basic social institution or in better words, is the base and foundation of every society, thus, it plays a vital role toward the development of a society.

Secondly, we better review our tradition and culture more openly than before, and throw away all those aspects that have caused us un-development and backwardness. For instance: some believe that women must not be allowed to go to work or go to university for education. Such type of opinions unfortunately does exist in our province even today. We better delete them from our culture and tradition, if we are looking for development.

Thirdly, it is better for our religious leaders and clerics not to be dogmatic and fanatical (of course I am referring only to those who are dogmatic). Islam is like a good vehicle, but if those who drive this vehicle do not know how to use it or misuse it, then that vehicle would get damaged… If we take into consideration all such factors and practice them accordingly, then we can have a better developed Balochistan.

Q. How one can move towards development?

A: Via “positive freedom.” John Stuart Mill says: “both man and woman should be free to their own self-development, however, as long as, they do not harm the society.” However, this idea must have harmony with the policies of a political society, if not, one cannot achieve development then.

We need cooperation from different groups of the society. These groups can be classified under two major headings: “people” and “officials.” As long as, we do not witness harmony among these groups, development is impossible. Now, why we do not see such a strong cooperation among them? Simply because, mental structure of every group is different from another one, and because “mental and rational device” has not been installed in their minds so far. Thus, we are in the beginning of the road toward development…

Q. What are the most obstacles towards development of Balochistan?

A: The powerful countries of the world always try to keep the gap between themselves and the developing world, and in order to succeed, they use and apply of different invisible and effective tools. Therefore, foreign factors have been an important obstacle toward the development of Balochistan. But, that does not stand for the reason that we are pure or innocent. In fact, we are to be blamed. So long as one does not go one’s way in its proper manner, one cannot gain the desired goal or what we may call here: “development.” It is just like the story of a student who never gets his degree until and unless tries hard.

In my view the most important obstacles are:

1) - lack of understanding and harmony between the Baloch and the concerned officials. Our concerned officials are unable to understand well the social psychology of the Baloch. And this problem must be solved by the officials themselves, because, after all, they are responsible --- they have taken that responsibility.

2) - Lack of cooperation and mutual understanding among the different Baloch factions: the educated, the clerics, the employees, the tribal chiefs, etc. this is because each of them hold and follow different mental structures.

3) – Extremism, which is produced by some religious schools and clerics. If it continues like that then our next generation would be reluctant to follow the Islamic rules eagerly.

4) - Balochi culture though is valuable and rich, yet some of it parts needs reformation.

5) - Jealousy, meanness, etc, must be taken away and instead positivism and rationality should replace them.

Q. How is the status of Balochistan in the global crisis or changes?

A: If we go back to the political history of Balochistan, we will realize that this land is quite known to the world. This land has been attacked many times by many rulers, and so different rulers had their presence either physically or otherwise.

Today, one of the global crises is the “Middle East Question.” The existence of its huge natural resources, the significance of its strategic situation, and different dispersed religions and races, indeed has attracted the attention of many western politicians. Thus, Balochistan has its very important strategic location not only for Iran, rather for the entire Middle East, South Asia, and even for the political world, therefore, cannot be ignored in the international politics.

Global crisis do have their affects on Balochistan, because it is a part of Iran, and nowadays, Iran’s nuclear issue has turned into one of the hottest issues in the world.

Balochistan also is a part of Pakistan and Afghanistan, where both states are engaged in their own crisis…

If the Pakistani government fails to resolve the crisis diplomatically (in its Balochistan), then such current crisis may bring a “dark future” for that country. And certainly, Balochistan’s question will be one of the most important matters in the world politics in the future, as is the case with Israel and Palestine today.

In the end, we should not forget that progress and development of every society depends on its own ability and efficiency. If today we have an un-developed or developed Iran or Balochistan, it reflects and show our own ability and efficiency… criticizing others is easy, but to accept criticism from others is difficult…

Negaran: Dear Taheri, thanks indeed for joining us, and spending your time with us.

Ahmad Reza Taheri: I would like to express my deep thanks to this Electronic Institute, as well as, to the management for giving me this opportunity.

This text is translated by Baloch Academist, the original text is in Persian language: Sunday – 29/10/2006. Time: 4:23. By Varna Baloch: www.ngaran.blogfa.com